Camera holder

ABSTRACT

A camera storage apparatus adapted for engagement to a user having a case formed by two elastically engaged sidewalls. An aperture provides access for the camera to an interior cavity and a projection creates a restraint for the camera while in the interior cavity. The elastic edgewall may be stretched by the user to remove or insert the camera into the interior cavity past the projection. A lip extending past the aperture and over the body of the user provides a guide for the camera into the interior cavity so the user need not look at the device during insertion and removal of the camera.

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/816,429 filed Jun. 26, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein disclosed and described relates to a camera case.More particularly it relates to a clothing engageable camera caseadapted for use in an aquatic venue such as at the beach when the useris surfing. The device features a unique biased sidewall and rib closureadjacent to an entry aperture to provide for quick removal andreplacement of a camera therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, digital photography and film photography have evolvedto include inexpensive water proof cameras which have a cost and ease ofuse factor within the scope of everyday users. Where formally suchwaterproof cameras were bulky and expensive and hard to operate, placingthem in the domain of professionals, recently developed digital cameraswith computerized exposure calculations have made water relatedphotography well within the scope of operation of amateurs.

However, frequently in water sports the force of the water itself is afactor in why the user is in the aquatic environment. This is especiallytrue in the sport of surfing, kayaking, rafting, and sports where theuser is essentially riding the water on a craft of some sort.

In such an environment, there will generally be short time periodsbetween rushing water or breaking waves where the user has theopportunity to snap a photograph. In doing so, the user currently musteither hold the camera in their hand for the duration of the time in thewater, or place it in some belt mounted or body mounted casing when itis not being used so the camera may ride along with the user.

Most such cases and camera holders are inconvenient for the user sincethey employ lids to hold the camera in a confined area. Further, in thevery short time frames available to the user, removing the camera fromthe camera bag or holder, taking the picture, and fumbling to replacethe camera in the holder is very inconvenient. Consequently, most userstake very few pictures especially in a surfing environment where theuser is liable to end up underneath the wave, instead of upon it, shouldthey mis-time their actions due to fumbling with their camera.

As such, there exists an unmet need for a device which will engage andhold a camera in a water environment and which will allow ease of use.Such a device should provide a very secure containment of the camera sothat in the rough and tumble marine environment the camera is not lost.However, such a device should also allow for the easy insertion andremoval of the camera from the case, so that the user may employ thecamera in very short available time frames. Still further, such a deviceshould allow for removal and reinsertion into a casing, in a manner thatdoes not require the user to look at the device during either action.This allows the user to keep their eyes on the moving water so they canmake timely moves and take immediate action should the need arise,without having to look at the camera holder to re-insert the cameratherein.

Still further, such a device should additionally allow the user to snappictures, if desired, without the need to remove the camera from thebody-engaged camera holder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for thecontainment of a camera which is engageable to the user.

It is a further object to provide a device wherein during removal andespecially reinsertion of the camera in the case the user may easily doso without having to look at or view the opening the case.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a cameraholder that is especially well adapted for use in a marine environmentin combination with water resistant cameras.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide such a devicethat is adapted for engagement to a wet suit or other marine typearticle of clothing.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a camera holderthat will allow the user to take photos without removing it from thecase which is user-engaged.

The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of theinvention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrativeof some of the more prominent features and applications of the intendedinvention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying thedisclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the inventionwithin the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and afuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to thesummary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferredembodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by theclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein thedetailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing theinvention without placing limitations thereon.

With respect to the above description and background, before explainingat least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangement of the componentsand/or steps set forth in the following description or illustrated inthe drawings. The various apparatus and methods of the invention hereindescribed and disclosed are capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art once they review this disclosure. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other devices, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present disclosed device for holding a camera.It is important, therefore, that the objects and claims be regarded asincluding such equivalent construction and methodology, insofar as theydo not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides an apparatusespecially well adapted to hold water-resistant film and digitalcameras, constrained in a cavity engaged to the user, when the useroccupies a marine environment.

In a particularly preferred mode, the device features a case whichemploys a bayonet mount having a female portion that is engageable to amale component that is engageable upon the exterior of a wetsuit. Inthis fashion the case is easily and quickly engaged or disengaged to thechest area of the wetsuit where it may be used to hold the camera.

The case is adapted in dimension to accommodate a digital or filmcamera. It has two features that independently or combined, make thedevice especially useful and convenient for use in the rough marineenvironment. The case employs a pair of stiff sidewalls engaged inparallel by an elastic strip which forms an edgewall on three sides. Anaperture formed in one end provides for access to the interior cavitydefined by the area between the aperture, the two sidewalls and the edgewall.

This aperture and the construction of the device are especially welladapted for easy insertion and removal of a camera from the interiorcavity by the provision of two components adjacent to the aperture.First, one of the sidewalls adjacent to the aperture and positioned tobe away from the user's body is longer than the other. This longersidewall defines an overhang or lip which provides a means to guide thecamera into the cavity, without looking at the device, when the shortersidewall is engaged to the body by the bayonet mount. Second, a means tosecurely maintain the camera in the interior cavity, without closing theapertures, is provided by a pair of opposing ribs engaged to thesidewalls adjacent to the aperture. These projecting ribs, biased towardeach other by the biased sidewalls, narrow the interior cavity adjacentto the aperture which forms a barrier that prevents the camera fallingout of the interior cavity or from being removed, unless a camera tetheris pulled with sufficient force to overcome the biasing of the elasticsidewalls separating the two ribs as they ride on the exterior of thecamera on its way out.

Insertion is accomplished in the reverse where the distal end of thecamera is pushed into the interior cavity behind the lip by applicationof sufficient force to overcome the bias of the elastic and thereby pushthe two ribs apart. In some cases on insertion, the ribs riding on theexterior of the camera will act as a squeegee to removed dirt anddebris.

The opposing sidewalls are spaced to accommodate the width of the cameraand the employment of elastic edge walls allows for the formed interiorcavity to be adaptable to different sized cameras while the two ribsadjacent to the aperture will still impair the camera inserted, nomatter what the width, from falling out or being removed without beingpulled.

As noted, also included in the preferred mode of the device is a uniquebayonet mount on the exterior of one sidewall. The mount is adapted toengage a mating mount that is engaged to the clothing or wetsuit worn bythe user. Engagement requires the case to be rotated 90 degrees to alignthe mounts and then rotate back with gravity to maintain the engagement.Optionally, but probably wise, a reeled tether, biased to retract, isengaged to the camera and the case, as a safety precaution. While thecamera is unlikely to get past the biased lips at the aperture, once outof the interior cavity in a rough marine environment, the user is liableto drop it. The biased tether will protect the camera from loss if suchshould occur.

With respect to the above description of the preferred modes of the userwearable camera case, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the disclosed device above a mountcomponent adapted to engage a second mount component engaged to theexterior of the shorter sidewall.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the device showing the shorter sidewall withmount component thereon.

FIG. 3 depicts a slice through FIG. 1 showing the interior cavity formedbetween the two sidewalls and the two opposing ribs for restraining thecamera in the interior cavity which is placed adjacent to the apertureproviding communication to the internal cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 depict the disclosed device 10for storing or holding a camera 14 in an aquatic environment occupied bythe user such as a surfer in the ocean. The device 10 features a case 16formed by a first sidewall 18 and shorter second sidewall 20. On theexterior surface of the second sidewall 20 is positioned a first mountcomponent 22 which is adapted to engage a second mount component 24which would be attached to the user such as by attachment to a wetsuit,or to a belt, or other clothing worn by the user. Using the mountcomponents 22 and 24, the case 16 may be easily engaged or disengaged tothe wetsuit 26 and remain attached to hold the camera 14 therein.

An interior cavity 28 is formed between the stiff first sidewall 18 andsecond sidewall 20 and an elastic edge wall 30 communicating between thetwo sidewalls and forming a side edge along three sides of the case 16.In a particularly preferred mode of the device 10, communicating throughthe first sidewall 18 is a window 19 positioned in to be in a registeredengagement with the camera 14 such that the lens 21 of the camera 14 canbe situated to point through the window 19. This will allow the user totake photos while the camera is in an engaged position inside theinterior cavity 28 by depressing the camera 14 activation switch 23which would be positioned in a gap 25 in the edgewall 30 holding the twosidewalls together. Or, since as noted the edgewall 30 is elastic, and amajority of camera activation buttons 23 are on the sides of the camera14, the button may be pressed by deflection of the edgewall 30 to take apicture or video while the camera 14 is engaged within the interiorcavity.

Of course the device 10 provides greatly improved camera storage withoutthe window; however, when used in an aquatic environment, the user maywish not to dislodge the camera from the interior cavity 28 so thewindow increases the utility of the device 10. This window for the lens21 also would allow positioning of the camera 14 to take video whilebeing worn by the user which would also be especially useful when asurfer is riding a wave to render to the camera 14 the view the usersees while surfing.

Access to the interior cavity 28 is provided by an aperture 32 formed inone end. The aperture 32 is adapted to provide access to the interiorcavity 28 defined by the area between the aperture 32, the two sidewalls18 and 20, and the edgewall 30.

The device 10 provides the user with great utility by providing a securestorage for a camera 14 yet easy insertion and removal of a camera 14from the interior cavity 28 through the employment of two componentsadjacent to the aperture 32. A first such component is provided by ameans to funnel or guide the camera 14 through the aperture 30 and intothe interior cavity 28 by the overhang 31 or lip portion provided by thelonger first sidewall 18 spaced away from the user's body or clothing 26when the case 16 is engaged to the user with the mounts. This means toguide the camera into the cavity 28 allows the user to easily insert thecamera 14 into the internal cavity without looking by sliding the cameraunder the overhang 32 and pushing it into the internal cavity 28.

Means to securely maintain the camera 14 in the interior cavity 28 withno closure on the aperture 32 is provided by at least one, andpreferably a pair of opposing projections in the form of ribs 36 engagedto the sidewalls adjacent to the aperture 30. The two ribs 36 projectfrom interior surfaces of the two sidewalls and are biased toward eachother by the biased sidewalls 18 and 20 and the elastic edgewall 30engaged to the sidewalls. The projecting ribs 36 thus effectively narrowthe interior cavity 28 immediately adjacent to the aperture 30 anddefined an aperture width less than the gap between the two sidewallsthereby defining a barrier as a means to prevent the camera 14 fallingout of the interior cavity 28 or from being removed. This aperture widthmay be increased to allow removal of the camera by pulling on the camera14 with the fingers or pulling on a camera tether 38 with sufficientforce to stretch and overcome the biasing of the elastic edgewall 30which biases the two sidewalls and hence, the engaged ribs 36, towardeach other.

Storage of the camera 14 in the interior cavity is accomplished byforcing the distal end of the camera 14 behind the lip or overhang 31and pushing with sufficient force to overcome stretch and overcome thebias of the elastic in the edge wall 30 and thereby increase the size ofthe aperture width by forcing two curved ribs 36 away from each otherduring traverse of the camera therebetween.

The opposing sidewalls 18 and 20 are spaced to accommodate the thicknessof the camera 14 and using the elastic edgewalls 30 provides a means toadapt the width of the interior cavity to accommodate different widthcameras 14. However, the rib or ribs 36 positioned adjacent to theaperture will prevent the camera 14 from falling out of the interiorcavity when the two sidewalls rest against the exterior of the camera14. Optionally, a biased reel engages a first end of a retractabletether 38 and is adapted to pull upon the distal end of the tether 38 asa safety precaution. When the user has removed the camera 14 from theinterior cavity 28 for a quick shot, the tether 38, threaded through theinterior cavity 28 or just engaged to the camera 14 directly, provides ameans to tether the camera 14 to the user or the device and prevent lossif dropped. Threading the retractable tether 38 through the gap in theedgewall 30 and to the camera 14 will tend to pull the camera 14 backinto the interior cavity when returning it thereto.

Although the invention has been herein disclosed and described withrespect to particular embodiments thereof, it should be realized thatvarious changes and modifications may be employed to the method andapparatus for secure storage of a camera in an aquatic environmentwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. While theinvention as shown in the drawings and described in detail hereindiscloses arrangements of elements of particular construction andconfiguration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure andmethod of operation of the present invention, it is to be understood,however, that elements of different construction and configuration andother arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described,may be employed in accordance with the spirit of this invention. Any andall such changes, alternations and modifications, as would occur tothose skilled in the art, are considered to be within the scope of thisinvention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

1. A camera storage apparatus for engagement to a user, comprising: acase, said case having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and anelastic edgewall communicating therebetween defining a gap between saidfirst sidewall and said second sidewall; an aperture communicating withsaid interior cavity at a first end of said case; at least oneprojection engaged to one of said interior surface or said insidesurface, and extending to a distal end; an aperture width defined by adistance between said distal end and a respective opposing insidesurface or interior surface; an interior cavity defined by the areain-between an interior surface of said first sidewall, an inside surfaceof said second sidewall, said edgewall and said projection; saidaperture width being less than a thickness of a camera positioned withinsaid storage cavity thereby providing means to prevent an exit of saidcamera from said interior cavity through aperture; a stretching of saidedgewall adjacent to said aperture providing means to increase saidaperture to an enlarged width equal to or more than said thickness andallow said exit of said camera from said interior cavity past saidaperture; and said elastic edgewall providing means to increase said gapto accommodate cameras having a thickness in excess of said gap.
 2. Thecamera storage apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: said firstsidewall having a length defined by a first distance between said firstend of said case and an opposite end; said second sidewall having asecond length defined by a second distance between said first end ofsaid case and said opposite end; said first distance being more thansaid second distance thereby defining a lip portion of said firstsidewall extending past said first end of said second sidewall; means toengage said second sidewall to the clothing of a user; and said lipportion defining a guide into said aperture for said camera placedbetween said lip and said clothing during an insertion of said camerathrough said aperture into said interior cavity.
 3. The camera storageapparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a second projectionengaged to the other of said interior surface or said inside surfacethan that of said at least one projection and substantially alignedtherewith; said second projection extending to a second distal end; andsaid aperture width defined by a distance between said distal ends ofsaid at least one projection and said second projection.
 4. The camerastorage apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a secondprojection engaged to the other of said interior surface or said insidesurface than that of said at least one projection and substantiallyaligned therewith; said second projection extending to a second distalend; and said aperture width defined by a distance between said distalends of said at least one projection and said second projection.
 5. Thecamera storage apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: said firstsidewall having a window formed therein communicating with said interiorcavity; and said window positioned to surround a lens on said cameraengaged within said interior cavity whereby said camera can be operatedwhile engage in said interior cavity by a depression of an activationswitch on said camera through a gap in or deflection of said edgewall.6. The camera storage apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: saidfirst sidewall having a window formed therein communicating with saidinterior cavity; and said window positioned to surround a lens on saidcamera engaged within said interior cavity whereby said camera can beoperated while engage in said interior cavity by a depression of anactivation switch on said camera through a gap in or deflection of saidedgewall.
 7. The camera storage apparatus of claim 3 additionallycomprising: said first sidewall having a window formed thereincommunicating with said interior cavity; and said window positioned tosurround a lens on said camera engaged within said interior cavitywhereby said camera can be operated while engage in said interior cavityby a depression of an activation switch on said camera through a gap inor deflection of said edgewall.
 8. The camera storage apparatus of claim4 additionally comprising: said first sidewall having a window formedtherein communicating with said interior cavity; and said windowpositioned to surround a lens on said camera engaged within saidinterior cavity whereby said camera can be operated while engage in saidinterior cavity by a depression of an activation switch on said camerathrough a gap in or deflection of said edgewall.
 9. The camera storageapparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a tether engaged to saidcamera and extending through said aperture when said camera is engagedwithin said interior cavity; said tether providing means to pull saidcamera and impart a force to said rib to impart a stretching to saidedgewall thereby increasing said aperture width to allow removal of saidcamera.
 10. The camera storage apparatus of claim 2 additionallycomprising: a tether engaged to said camera and extending through saidaperture when said camera is engaged within said interior cavity; saidtether providing means to pull said camera and impart a force to saidrib to impart a stretching to said edgewall thereby increasing saidaperture width to allow removal of said camera.
 11. The camera storageapparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: a tether engaged to saidcamera and extending through said aperture when said camera is engagedwithin said interior cavity; said tether providing means to pull saidcamera and impart a force to said rib to impart a stretching to saidedgewall thereby increasing said aperture width to allow removal of saidcamera.
 12. The camera storage apparatus of claim 4 additionallycomprising: a tether engaged to said camera and extending through saidaperture when said camera is engaged within said interior cavity; saidtether providing means to pull said camera and impart a force to saidrib to impart a stretching to said edgewall thereby increasing saidaperture width to allow removal of said camera.
 13. The camera storageapparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising: a tether engaged to saidcamera and extending through said aperture when said camera is engagedwithin said interior cavity; said tether providing means to pull saidcamera and impart a force to said rib to impart a stretching to saidedgewall thereby increasing said aperture width to allow removal of saidcamera.
 14. The camera storage apparatus of claim 6 additionallycomprising: a tether engaged to said camera and extending through saidaperture when said camera is engaged within said interior cavity; saidtether providing means to pull said camera and impart a force to saidrib to impart a stretching to said edgewall thereby increasing saidaperture width to allow removal of said camera.
 15. The camera storageapparatus of claim 7 additionally comprising: a tether engaged to saidcamera and extending through said aperture when said camera is engagedwithin said interior cavity; said tether providing means to pull saidcamera and impart a force to said rib to impart a stretching to saidedgewall thereby increasing said aperture width to allow removal of saidcamera.
 16. The camera storage apparatus of claim 8 additionallycomprising: a tether engaged to said camera and extending through saidaperture when said camera is engaged within said interior cavity; saidtether providing means to pull said camera and impart a force to saidrib to impart a stretching to said edgewall thereby increasing saidaperture width to allow removal of said camera.
 17. The camera storageapparatus of claim 9 additionally comprising: said tether engaged tosaid camera at a first end and to a biased reel at a second end.
 18. Thecamera storage apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising: saidtether engaged to said camera at a first end and to a biased reel at asecond end.
 19. The camera storage apparatus of claim 11 additionallycomprising: said tether engaged to said camera at a first end and to abiased reel at a second end.
 20. The camera storage apparatus of claim12 additionally comprising: said tether engaged to said camera at afirst end and to a biased reel at a second end.